Research & Clinical Partners

Cold plunge therapy is the paradoxical resolution to Raynaud's. While medical advice is to avoid cold or take drugs like calcium-channel blockers or Viagra to suppress vasoconstriction, these approaches merely manage symptoms without addressing root causes. Raynaud's often signals underlying hypothyroidism and loss of brown adipose tissue (BAT), which converts T4 to active T3 for thermogenesis. Cold fixes it by stimulating the body to recruit new brown fat & re-regulate the t

Thermogenic foods like chili peppers, ginger, and cinnamon may help prepare cold sensitive people starting a new cold plunge practice.

Ben Bikman talks brown fat, insulin resistance, cold plunge during pregnancy, & the mitochondrial origins of erectile dysfunction in these interviews for the Uncommon Living podcast.

The anxiolytic effects of the ketogenic diet may allow anorexics to meet their minimum nutritional needs without activating the negative emotions associated with feeding. Although ice baths are the fastest route to ketosis, I do not recommend ice baths for anorexics until minimum nutritional requirements have been met.

Cold plunge improves metabolism and burns calories, but doesn't result in long-term weight loss. Understanding the paradox requires reimaging the thermodynamics of life.

The fast route to ketosis is an ice bath. Cold water therapy clears blood glucose & stimulates ketone production in the liver.